Los Angeles @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 15, 2019 ) Chicago 100, L.A. Lakers 107

The Los Angeles Lakers are seeing their season rapidly disintegrate and will look to halt a five-game losing streak when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. Los Angeles dropped 11 of its last 14 games as it opens a five-game road trip in the Windy City.

The Lakers had high hopes of reaching the playoffs in LeBron James' first season with the club but now the veteran forward's minutes are being reduced and the postseason no longer is a viable possibility. "It's challenging but I kind of knew what I was getting myself into it," James told reporters. Chicago lost four of its last five games and was walloped 131-108 on Sunday by the host Detroit Pistons on the back end of a home-and-home set. Shooting guard Zach LaVine (knee) sat out the contest but is hopeful of returning against the Lakers.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE LAKERS (30-36): Forward Brandon Ingram (blood clot in his right shoulder) will likely miss the rest of the season and point guard Lonzo Ball (ankle injury suffered Jan. 19) reportedly won't see the court again. "With where we're at now and not looking like he's close to being able to play yet, it's almost getting to the point where the true value comes from getting him as healthy as possible," Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters, "so he has however many months this summer to really expand and keep working on his game." Forward Kyle Kuzma (ankle) has a shot at returning against Chicago after missing the previous two games.

ABOUT THE BULLS (19-49): LaVine is averaging 34.5 minutes in 60 games played and the club views the current soreness in his right knee as a product of wear and tear. "There's no reason to risk anything with just a little tendinitis in the knee right now, so I'll wait for the pain to go away, see how I feel," LaVine told reporters. I think it will be just day by day, see how it is and feel it out. I had some pain, and I just didn't want to risk it. Why try and get hurt?" LaVine is averaging a career-high 23.8 points and his 46.8 shooting percentage also is a career best.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers won the past four meetings, including a 107-100 home triumph on Jan. 15.

2. Chicago SF Otto Porter Jr. is averaging 18.3 points over the past three games.

3. Los Angeles G Josh Hart is 5-of-16 shooting over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Bulls 109, Lakers 102